Differentiated pedagogy in early childhood education: Challenges and prospects
Published:
Dec 22, 2020
Keywords:
Dimensions of diversity funds of knowledge interests assessment sociocultural theory
Abstract
Although diversity is a norm in early childhood classrooms and scholars' interest in differentiated pedagogy (DP) is constantly renewed, this approach has not yet found its place in early childhood classrooms. After looking at a short overview of the theoretical and methodological framework of DP and taking into account specific features of early childhood education, this study concentrates on key components of this pedagogical orientation. It draws upon sociocultural approaches (i.e. funds of knowledge) and central ideas (i.e. ZPD) that intersect with the basic principles of DP to argue for the importance of reconsidering the concepts of diversity, assessment and children’s interests.
Re-examining the multidimensional nature of diversity, the article reconceptualizes it through the construct of funds of knowledge. Established on this perspective, the discussion that follows unfolds the challenges educators have to face in order to implement a kind of an assessment that seeks to understand and capitalize on young children’s lives, resources and interests.
The article concludes that the evidence base for an early childhood differentiated pedagogy that respects children’s agency and cultural ways of knowing needs, by questioning the strict framework of DP, to incorporate a broader view of children’s diversity, acknowledge the wealth of culturally developed knowledge and skills children bring at school, and shape a dynamic and comprehensive framework for children’s assessment incorporating tools that allow young learners to narrate their personal learning stories and discover their interests.
Article Details
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Παπανδρέου Μ. (2020). Differentiated pedagogy in early childhood education: Challenges and prospects. Dialogoi! Theory and Praxis in Education, 6, 77–96. https://doi.org/10.12681/dial.25547
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- Vol. 6 (2020)
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- Special Theme
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